Specimen Type

Abscess/Wound drainage:

Aspirate and transport in capped syringe, without needle, or submit fluid in sterile container. Specimens collected on swabs are not optimal, but will be processed if submitted in culture transport medium to prevent drying. Submit separate swab system for each culture type requested, to provide sufficient material.

Body fluids:

Aspirate and transport in capped syringe, without needle, or submit in sterile container.

Catheter:

Place 5cm of the distal end, collected aseptically, into a sterile screw-capped container. Fungal blood cultures should also be submitted.

Notify Microbiology Department if culture is to r/o Malassezia spp.

Respiratory:

Three separate early morning specimens from a deep cough induced sputum, or specimens collected by bronchoscopy (lavage, washing, brush). transport in sterile container.

Tissues/biopsy:

Collect tissue and transport in sterile container with a small amount of non-bacteriostatic saline to prevent drying.

Do not transport in Formalin

Urine:

First morning clean-catch specimen in a sterile container.

Catheterized specimen

Urine collected in a sterile leakproof container after a prostatic massage.

CSF:

CSF collection tube, 2ml.

Cryptococcal Antigen is performed in lieu of Fungal Stain